The Cabinet of Tolmakia (Modern Tolmakian: 4IК4ИIՕꝉ • lՕ • ꝉL/|Ib4ᶘ), also referred by its longer official name, Political Cabinet of the Republican State of Tolmakia (Tolmakian: 3ᶘIꝉIIՕꟼ • lՕ • ꝉL/|Ib4ᶘ • Lꝉ4ꝉ3 • /|4ᶘIlbvꟼLꝚ • /|4IК4ИIՕꝉ; Engekian: Dulmnakean Refovlechan Shdadi Chavenid up Fuledechsh), is the collective decision-making body that directs the Tolmakian Government. It is composed of the prime minister (both the head of state and government), the deputy prime minister, the heads of the Republican Assembly's chambers, and the executive heads of all the government's ministerial departments. Led by the prime minister, it also acts as the main face of the executive branch of the government. By virtue of their position, the executive heads of all ministerial departments and the heads of the parliament's chambers are automatically members of the cabinet.

The cabinet's decisions are generally implemented under the existing powers of individual government ministries (represented by their respective heads). Matters within the authority of the prime minister are decided at plenary meetings of the Cabinet, with the exception of appointments, pardon, and the calling of extraordinary elections. The collective coordinating function of the cabinet is reinforced by the statutory position that all the ministers hold the same office, and can exercise the same powers.

Contents

History

The first Tolmakian cabinet was created during the Finzilanian Revolution, although it supposedly lasted for only 5 months. The existence of this political cabinet, headed by Thomas Breshire, is debated. An associate of Breshire's, Clayton Smith, confirmed the existence of this cabinet. In contrast, Matthew Browns, another associate and self-proclaimed Minister of Defence during the revolution, denied it.

After the civil war and the split of Tolmakia, the first officially recognized Tolmakian cabinets were created. There were two cabinet systems: one created by the Eastern Tolmakian Kingdom, and one by the Western Tolmakian Republic. The eastern cabinet was led by Minister Abel Kurowitz, until it was subdued shortly and ultimately dissolved, when Princess Anna Marina declared the kingdom to be under her absolute authority. Minister Abel Kurowitz would find another position in the post-split cabinet.

Throughout the split period, the western political cabinet of Tolmakia was created with the assistance of the first Tolmakian republican legislative body, the original Republican Assembly. The cabinet would pave the foundation for the modern political cabinet. It would be headed by Konan Danishwire, the only Western Tolmakian Prime Minister. It was only in 1981 when the assembly would be represented in the cabinet, first by the Leader of the State Council, then by both chamber heads.

After the reunification, the cabinet system of Tolmakia was reformed by Prime Minister Devin Kashlevin, to suit the new changes brought on the nation. The cabinet was led by him, into the golden age of the nation. It was also during this time that new ideas reformed the cabinet further, thus creating the modern cabinet system of the republic.

In 2003, after the country recovered from a five-year economic recession, several ministries divided themselves, leading to an increase in the number of cabinet members.

Composition

By virtue of their position, all of the heads of the government's executive ministerial departments are automatically members. The same applies to the heads of the national legislature's chambers. Therefore, nominees are not specifically selected for the cabinet; instead, each cabinet member is appointed a successor in their own departments or chambers, in order to represent it in the future cabinet. All senior ministers and heads (the prime minister included) may nominate the new ministers. Senior ministers normally appoint their own successors, choosing from their ministries and houses, unlike the Prime Minister, who usually chooses candidates from the Republican Assembly's upper house.

Several candidates may be nominated, and they are voted on by the Republican Assembly. The candidates are rejected or accepted, based on the outcome of their results. Additionally, while the assembly does not have the power to dismiss ministers, it can vote for the resignation of ministers. As part of the cabinet, the Leader of the State Council and the Leader of the People's Assembly cannot actually participate in voting (unless breaking ties). Though rare, dismissal without notice has occurred during the cabinet's history. Under normal circumstances, on the advice of the Prime Minister, cabinet members are given the respectful choice to resign before being marked for dismissal.

The cabinet has always been led by the Prime Minister of Tolmakia, and he/she, as the head of government, holds the effective power to nominate up to five candidates for selection, any cabinet ministers for dismissal, and to control the cabinet's agenda. The allocation and transfer of responsibilities between ministers and departments is also generally at the Prime Minister's discretion. Members of the Government can be invited at the Prime Minister's discretion, either regularly or ad hoc.

Members of the cabinet are liable to the house of which they are member. Most ministers come from the upper house. In addition, they are responsible for relaying advice to the prime minister, guiding him/or in the matters of their own departments, so that he/she can assist them in return. They also help each other out, especially since Tolmakia's ministries are closely knit (such as the TMoD and the Foreign Ministry, which have several joint organizations). Regardless of their houses or departments, members of the cabinet are responsible for their decisions, and the consequences of these decisions.

The numbers of the members of the cabinet commonly ranged from 25 to 27, with the current 30 being a result of new ministries being formed. The numbers are decided by the executive branch's number of ministries, and any reshuffles and reforms done on them. For instance, the reason why there are more ministers in the cabinet is because there are now more ministries since 2003. Reshuffles normally occur after every general election, though they may occur gradually (with ministers being appointed and dismissed during non-election years), or during internal government reforms. Ministers will habitually have a junior minister to represent their department in the Republican State's Council, when they themselves are not available. These junior ministers can later be chosen as prime candidates to succeed their superiors. Junior ministers below Cabinet level may be invited to all Cabinet meetings as a matter of course.

Meetings of the cabinet

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

The current building of the Cabinet, also known as the Glashield. The building was assigned its role in 1998, after the original cabinet building was closed due being extensively damaged in a fire.

Meetings of the cabinet regularly occur once a week, usually on a Friday. However, it is also not uncommon for the cabinet to meet everyday in a week. In each meeting, the cabinet is expected to discuss the latest developments and trending matters of the nation. These can include reviewing existing policies, or debating over decisions to be made over certain issued. The length of these meetings may vary, depending on the country's present political conditions and the prime minister's schedule. They can last from 30 minutes (which is the usual duration) up to a quarter of a day (8 hours). Following a day-long meeting in 1986, a new regulation was created, declaring that cabinet meetings be 8 hours at most. Additionally, this was done as an attempt to reduce procrastination and clear up time for cabinet members to attend to other duties.

Originally, regular meetings were held on Thursdayw. For unknown reasons, this was switched to Fridayw, by Prime Minister Joseph Malorie. Since then, major gatherings are strictly held on this day (though they have been known to occur on Thursdays when Fridays are not available, such as on holidays).